What is India Editorial
Resurgent violence in
Jammu and Kashmir
India has all the strong cards
required to bring Pakistan to heel, but is unwilling to use them. ARAVIND SITARAMAN
lists five compelling reasons that can convince Kashmiris about the wisdom of
staying with India
In a short space of four
weeks, Jammu and Kashmir (JK) has seen resurgence in violence. Most of these
have been through Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and it has claimed lives
and also the peace process put in place following this year’s State
election. The interesting element of the latest incident is that the target
was the father son Abdullah duo. A former Chief Minister and a Union Minister
of State with “Z” category security cover were less than 10 feet away from
an IED planted in a sand pile.
The spike in these
incidents comes on the heels of several “goodwill” building measures
between India and Pakistan. Political, military, media, and civilian leaders
from both countries have met in New Delhi, Islamabad, New York, etc. and a
general “good feel” has been pervading the relations between the two
neighbors. A team of Pakistani journalists was allowed to visit the Valley and
sure enough on their return to Pakistan, their conclusion was unanimous. The
residents of JK are irreversibly alienated from India and want to be with
Pakistan.
That report seemed a bit
strange. The Gujjars and Pandits are homeless in their own state and are
living in squalid conditions in Jammu and New Delhi. Shia craftsmen have been
touring all over the country selling their wares and reaping the Indian middle
class’ disposable surplus. This leaves only the Sunnis who have been
increasingly exfiltrating out of the Valley into the rest of the country
seeking jobs. A large number of people turned out for Assembly elections and
chose Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, long considered soft on law and high on rhetoric,
after throwing out the Abdullah clan perceived in the Valley as “Indian
spies.” Then one would wonder who their interlocutors were! Could it be the
Hurriyat, the umbrella organization of multiple separatist groups who does not
want to participate in any democratic process but claims to be the
spokesperson for the people of JK?
This is a pattern of
behavior from Pakistan. Individuals come to India on a “fact finding
mission” having prepared their reports before their departure from Pakistan.
The Government of Pakistan effuses peace in international forums, promises
peace to those who say are our mutual friends, and talks peace to India. On
the side, it has terrorist workshops producing terrorists like widgets out of
a super modern component machine. This has been played and replayed countless
times and our politicians still do not learn. The liberal die-hards in India
fall for it over and over again. The communists would sell the country to
appear statesmanlike.
India has all the strong
cards but is simply unwilling to play them. Firstly, India’s strongest card
is the economy. Booming markets, increased investment, large foreign reserves,
bright job prospects, stability—these are things that Pakistan does not
have. We have not taken the economic power of India to JK nor do we sell it
well enough to the people of that state.
Secondly, the Indian
education system creates competitive expertise for Indians. Many Pandits who
abandoned their homes in the Valley have since educated elsewhere in the
nation and rebuilt their lives. We have not offered educational
alternatives for the students there. They are being brainwashed in their madrasas,
mosques, and street corners into believing that they do not have a future in
India.
Thirdly, peace reigns all
over the country. Barring some Naxalite violence in some areas, India is
largely peaceful, secular, and socially liberal, and provides a favorable
climate for peaceful coexistence. Instead of apologizing for the
non-development of the state, we have to highlight the rest of India. They
have to understand that they too can live in such comfort and peace.
Fourthly, India has the
means to up the defense ante with Pakistan. India has the economic potential
to increase defense pressure in terms of defense outlays, equipment, and
weapons. We have not invested enough in defense technology that can be used to
fight terrorism. Instead of relying
on the US to provide the technology, India
should exploit its educated population to create new technologies that would
identify, capture or stop terrorists.
Fifthly, barring some
rusting parties with defunct ideology; India is unanimous in its viewpoint of
JK permanently being a part of India. Every time
India talks to Pakistan, the
latter attributes weakness as the motivation for India to discuss Kashmir.
India should project the unanimity of the country
across political, social,
religious, regional,
and civilian sections. This message should be projected
to the people of JK also. A stronger message is required to get anything out
of these talks.
Instead of being reactive
to these bombing incidents and lowering our guard with Pakistan, we should
increase our vigilance and tighten our approach
to terrorism. India should
remember that terrorists cannot be bought.